Gorrie and Lamb Rip Pages Out of Firecats Record Book
Published on May 30, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Estero, FL- Firecats fullback Steve Gorrie and receiver Cainon Lamb shattered two more Firecats records on Saturday night, paving the way for a 43-20 win over the Memphis Xplorers.
Prior to the game, it was unknown if Steve Gorrie would even suit up for the game. Gorrie had banged up his knee, and it was not until two hours before the game that he decided to play through the pain. After limited play, Gorrie broke a 16-yard run virtually untouched to find the end zone at the end of the first half. It was clear that the fire that Gorrie was infamous for had returned. Midway through the fourth quarter, Gorrie again found himself in the end zone, only five yards short of the Firecats' single season rushing record of 220 yards, held by former Firecat Johnny Frost. After Memphis turned the ball over on downs, Gorrie got the call on first down. Gorrie broke it for eleven yards to become the team single season record holder, and the season is only at the midpoint. Gorrie finished the night running for 61 yards and two touchdowns on only 11 carries. He also reset the 2004 af2 season high that he set four weeks ago. His season total is now at 229 yards, best in the entire league. Gorrie also caught a two-point conversion and a pass for seven yards. He is well into a superb "run" at af2 rookie of the year.
Only one quarter into the game, quarterback Ken Mastrole hit up Cainon Lamb for 15 yards and six points, bringing his career total to 206 points. On the play, he broke former Firecat Anthony Dixon's team career record of 202 points. In his typical fashion, Lamb quickly returned the ball to the official and prepared himself to hold for kicker Matt Groff's extra point attempt. The Firecats faked the extra point, but they came up short. Lamb is also the Firecats' career leader in touchdown receptions. He finished the night with three receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two tackles and a pass deflection on defense, and he had 86 yards in kick returns.
Quarterback Ken Mastrole was about as perfect as a quarterback can be. Mastrole completed 15 of his 19 pass attempts for 198 yards and four touchdowns. Along with Lamb and Gorrie, he found four other targets. Magic Benton caught seven passes for 71 yards and the first score of the game. Brent Burnside caught an incredible 39-yard touchdown, and Anthony Snead pulled in two tosses for 14 yards. Tight end Dunstan Anderson also snagged his first catch of the season, and he dragged defenders to turn it into a 16- yard gain.
The Firecats defense put together an incredible effort to hold last week's offensive player of the week, Memphis quarterback Brian Jones, to only three total touchdowns. The defensive backfield of Roy Stabler, Quincy Sorrell, Desmond Washington, and Brent Burnside made many incredible plays to hold the Xplorers to only 20 points. The linebacker corps of Lamb, Gorrie, and Chris Morant repeatedly made plays all night. The defensive front of Comone Fisher, Keith Drayton, Victor Hall, Dunstan Anderson, T.J. Gholston, and Brian Devine created problems for the Xplorer offense all night as well. Sorrell led the team with eight tackles, and Washington knocked four of Jones' passes out of the air. Morant had five tackles (1.5 for a loss), a forced fumble, a sack, and two quarterback hurries. Drayton and Fisher also had sacks, and Anderson (1.0) and Stabler (0.5) had tackles for a loss.
Kicker Matt Groff added two extra points and a field goal to the cause.
Steve Gorrie, Roy Stabler, and Cainon Lamb won the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game, ADT Defensive Player of the Game, and U.S. Army Ironman of the Game awards, respectively. The win improves the Firecats' record to 5-3, and the loss dropped the Memphis Xplorers to 4-4.
The Firecats travel to Macon next week to take on the defending American Conference champions. The Firecats defeated Macon 58-23 on May 1. The Firecats return home in two weeks to take on the Columbus Knights, who they defeated 62-33 on May 8. Tickets are available now by calling (239) 390-2287.
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